GMC Cascaders

FAMILY MOTOR COACH ASSOCIATION, INC.

The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the GMC CASCADERS Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association, Inc. hereinafter referred to as Chapter and FMCA.

1. PURPOSE: This Chapter exists to promote social, recreational and informational exchange activities that provide for the enjoyment and pleasurable use of family member coaches.

2. AREA/SCOPE: This Chapter shall be authorized to function as a regional group covering the geographical area of the Northwest States and Provinces, with a special interest in the care and preservation of the GMC Motorhome identified by TZE number, manufactured by General Motors from 1973-1978.

1. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for and to maintain membership in the Chapter, a person must be in good standing with FMCA, and meet the dues requirement and provisions set forth in the Bylaws of this Chapter. Membership in this Chapter shall not be denied any person because of race, sex, religion, color, martial or family status, age, nationality, or disability.

A. The term "Family Unit," is defined as a person; his or her spouse, or partner; dependents of each, regardless of age; non-dependent grandchildren and great grandchildren aged 18 and under.

B. The term "Membership" is defined as either a family unit or an individual or individuals owning a GMC Motorhome identified by TZE number, a Qualifying Motor Coach who share a membership number.

C. The term "Member" is defined as each adult who, jointly or individually, constitutes a membership. The voting rights of each member are defined in the description of each category.

D. The term "Qualifying Motor Coach," is defined as a self-propelled, completely self contained vehicle that contains all the conveniences of a home, including, but not limited to cooking, sleeping, and permanent sanitary facilities, and in which the driver's area is directly accessible in a walking position from the living quarters. The term motor coach and motorhome may be used interchangeably.

2. FAMILY ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

A. In order to perpetuate long-standing friendship, good fellowship and cooperation among members of this Chapter, this classification is available on request by a member in good standing that no longer owns a qualifying coach (GMC). To be eligible for this type of Chapter membership, a FMCA membership must be maintained.

B. A Family Associate shall not be eligible to hold office and has no Chapter voting privileges.

C. No benefits other than receiving the Chapter newsletter and attending Chapter rallies will be available to Family Associates. Annual dues shall be the same as a full membership.

3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP This membership may be bestowed on those members who have provided outstanding service to the Chapter while holding full membership in the Chapter. These members may be recommended to the board at an executive board meeting and after review by the board be presented to the Chapter for approval at the next scheduled business meeting. No dues are required for Honorary Members.

4. DUES AND FEES:

A. ANNUAL DUES: Annual payment of Chapter and FMCA dues enables persons to become active members and entitled to all rights and privileges of the Chapter and FMCA. The annual dues for membership in the Chapter shall be an amount as the membership shall establish.

B. RENEWAL: Renewal dues from Chapter members become due and payable on October 1st of every year.

C. INITIAL APPLICATION: Application for new membership shall be accompanied by payment of annual Chapter dues, and submission of an FMCA Membership Number, denoting FMCA membership. If an initial application is accepted after July 1st, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year.

D. ARREARS: Any member whose dues remain unpaid for more than 2 months after becoming due shall be deemed to have forfeited membership and will have no further right, title or interest in the affairs, conduct or property of this Chapter.

1. DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The duties of the officers shall be as defined in the STANDING RULES of the GMC Cascaders

2. TERMS OF OFFICE:

The Executive Board elected officers of this Chapter shall serve a one year or until their successors are elected.

3. RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS:

A. A member must own a GMC Motor home to hold office in this Chapter

B. An individual FMCA member may hold office(s) in only 1 Chapter.

C. Individual FMCA members may hold no more than 2 offices in the same chapter.

D. Any member in good standing may be nominated from the floor for any elective office.

E. Only Full members or Honorary Members have the right to hold office in this Chapter.

F. No official or member shall become vested of any right, title to, or interest in any Chapter property, except as required by law.

A. NATIONAL DIRECTOR:

The National Director shall represent the GMC Cascaders on the governing board of the National FMCA. This is an elected position and shall serve a one year term or until their successor is elected.

B. ALTERNATE NATIONAL DIRECTOR

The Alternate National Director shall assume the duties of the National Director if he or she is unable to perform. This is an elected position and shall serve a one year term or until their successor is elected.

2. EXECUTIVE BOARD:

A. The officers of the Chapter, and the immediate past President, shall constitute the Executive Board.

B. The Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings. The Board shall be subject to Chapter Bylaws and Standing Rules and none of its acts shall be in conflict with FMCA Bylaws and Cascader Standing Rules.

1. APPOINTMENT: Committee members and Chairperson (except Nominating Committee) will be appointed by the President.

2. DUTIES: All committees shall function within the policies of the Chapter and (except Nominating Committee) under the direction of the President. Financial reports, vouchers, and monies due the Chapter shall be submitted on a timely basis.

3. QUORUM: a Committee quorum shall be a simple majority.

1. AUTHORITY: This Chapter shall be democratically self-governed, deriving its existence and authority from the consent of its membership assembled in meeting or, in certain instances, by mail vote on stated propositions.

2. ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR: The fiscal and membership year of the Chapter shall commence on October 1 and end on September. 30

3. CHAPTER MEETINGS:

A. TYPES: The term "meeting" shall include coach rallies, campouts, dinner meetings, and any other gatherings suitable to the function of the Chapter.

B. BUSINESS MEETINGS: The Chapter must hold at least 2 business meetings each membership year at which a quorum is present. Said meetings must be at least 14 days apart and be duly announced in advance to the membership.

C. ANNUAL ELECTION: One of the business meetings shall be an Annual Meeting at which an election is held if required. The voting general membership is to elect Chapter officers, including a President, Two Vice President (s), a Secretary, a Treasurer, a National Director and Alternate National Director.

D. QUORUM: A quorum for the transaction of business at any duly-called Chapter meeting is 25% of the Chapter family unit memberships or 15 family unit memberships, whatever is less.

E. VOTING: Except as specified elsewhere in the Bylaws, a simple majority vote of members in good standing and voting shall be required to approve or disapprove any matter. The Chapter has established that voting will be 1 vote for each adult member. Balloting by mail/e-mail, may be undertaken when a proposed matter is voted to be of such importance or urgency that total membership vote is advisable.

F. PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS: The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised" shall govern this Chapter's proceedings to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of FMCA, and the Bylaws of the Chapter.

G. MAINTAINING AFFILIATION: This Chapter must maintain a minimum of 15 family unit memberships. The Chapter Secretary shall furnish to the National Office of FMCA, no later than the last week in December, a membership list, a list of Chapter officers, and assurance that 2 business meetings were held.

4. ANNUAL AUDIT: an annual audit of the Chapter's financial books and records shall be undertaken and reported to the membership.

5. APPLICATION OF (FMCA) NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS: This Chapter accepts and agrees that the Cascader Chapter Bylaws shall conform to any mandatory requirements stipulated in the Constitution and Bylaws of FMCA.

1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION:

A. The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than three (3) Chapter members in good standing, nominated and elected at a June Rally, or next scheduled rally by the Chapter membership, yearly.

B. Election of an individual to the Nominating Committee shall not prohibit that person from being nominated for elected office.

2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE DUTIES:

A. To select one of its members as Nominating Committee Chairperson.

B. To nominate candidates for the Chapter Offices of President, two Vice President (s), Secretary, Treasurer, National Director, and an Alternate National Director for the new term to be presented for voting by the Chapter membership.

C. To obtain clear acceptance of the nominees to serve the Chapter should they be elected.

D. To make certain that nominated candidates are members in good standing and qualified under applicable FMCA/ and Chapter bylaws.

E. Vacancies to the board may be filled by the previous nominating committee or by the Board on an interim basis until the next election.

1. MANDATORY AMENDMENTS: National Bylaw Amendments applicable to Chapter operations shall be automatically adopted by the Chapter and are not subject to a vote by the Chapter membership.

2. AMENDING PROCEDURE: These Bylaws may be amended by a 65% affirmative vote of the members present and voting at a duly-called meeting, providing that prior notice of at least 30 days has been given of the proposition (s) to amend. Any member of the Chapter may propose amendments to the Bylaws. Approved amendments to these Bylaws will become effective immediately upon their adoption, or at such time as specified in the amendment.

3. DISTRIBUTION: Copies of changes, additions, amendments, or revisions to these Bylaws shall be forwarded to the FMCA office and to the National Area Vice President.

1. In the event of dissolution of this Chapter of FMCA, by majority vote of the Chapter, all of the remaining assets of the Chapter shall be contributed to the purpose (s) for which the Chapter is organized, or to a qualified non-profit charity or charities.

1. Standing rules may be adopted to establish or clarify Chapter policies and practices not related to parliamentary procedures and are subordinated to and in accordance with chapter bylaws. Standing rules are adopted by a majority vote, are amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote without previous notice or by majority vote with such notice. This action may be done at any regular meeting by a vote of meeting those present. Standing rules may be temporary suspended for the duration of a meeting by majority vote.